Search - Jorg Gottschick, Luigi Nono, Peter Hirsch :: Luigi Nono: Composizione per orchestra n.1; Der rote mantel

Premiere recording of Der rote Mantel (The Red Coat)

R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 07/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Wergo disc presents two early works by Luigi Nono, "Composizione per orchestra n. 1" (1951 -- 13'55) and "Der rote Mantel (1954 -- 37'). Amazingly, the longer work, "Der rote Mantel" has never before been recorded. Peter Hirsch conducts the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and the RIAS Kammerchor in these fine performances.



Actually, the choir does not have much to sing. Soprano Angelika Luz and baritone Jorg Gottschick, along with the choir, make brief appearances in "Der rote Mantel," but it is mainly an orchestral work. Originally the music for a ballet based on a work by Federico Garcia Lorca, Nono was asked to write the music for the Deutsche Oper Berlin production. Oddly, though both Garcia Lorca and Nono were politically engaged artists, this piece has no overt politics at all, but of course Free Spain lingers in the background of the listener's thoughts. In 19 short sections, "Der rote Mantel" is a fine early Nono work. "Composizione No. 1" with a strict serialist construction, is equally good, culminating in a powerful passage featuring thundering timpani.



This is such a fine production on every level by the performers and by Wergo, I can't in good conscience give it any less than five stars. While not among his best or most important compositions, this disc is valuable to Nono devotees who will be excited to hear the first recording of a significant work, and any open-eared listener will find some superb mid-20th century music.



See my NONO: A LISTENER'S GUIDE list for more recordings and reviews, as well as my THE 12 BEST and 30 OF THE BEST 20th/21st CENTURY COMPOSERS lists."